F1 Visa Comprehensive Guide : All You Need to Know

4. F1 Visa Process

Obtaining an F1 Visa involves several steps. Below is an overview followed by a detailed explanation:

1. Apply to the school and obtain Form I-20
2. Complete Form DS-160
3. Gather documents for the visa interview
4. Attend the visa interview
5. Present yourself at the port of entry

Apply to the School and Obtain Form I-20

After being accepted into a U.S. institution, you will receive the SEVIS Form I-20. This form contains essential details such as your personal information, the school’s information, your program of study, and financial details. If you have F2 dependents, they will need their own I-20 forms as well.

Complete Form DS-160

You and any accompanying dependents are required to complete the DS-160 form before scheduling a visa interview. You will need to upload a photo with the form, or bring one to the interview. Depending on the country, there may also be a visa issuance fee.

Document Gathering for Visa Interview

The following documents are necessary for the visa interview:

• Proof of payment for visa fees
• A valid passport for at least six months
• Transcripts, diplomas, or certificates from previous educational institutions
• Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school
• Documents demonstrating your intent to leave the U.S. after completing your studies
• Proof of funds to cover tuition, living, and travel expenses

Visa Interview

During the visa interview, the consular officer will assess your eligibility for the F1 visa. Biometrics may be required at a separate appointment, typically a day or two before the interview. If the interview goes smoothly, you may be asked to pay an additional visa issuance fee.

Presenting Yourself at Port of Entry

Upon arriving at a U.S. port of entry, you will need to seek approval from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Ports of entry include airports and land border crossings. You must present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 for inspection. The CBP officer will decide whether to admit you to the U.S. and will provide an admission stamp or Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

5. F1 Transfer and Withdrawal

Who Can Transfer

You are allowed to transfer to another school as long as the following conditions are met:

• You must be a legitimate student.
• You must have been pursuing a full-time course of study.
• You must have adequate funds to support the transfer.
• You must start at the new school within 5 months of leaving your current school or the completion of your program, whichever comes first.
• You must request that your SEVIS record be transferred within 60 days of completing your program.
• You must not have engaged in unauthorized employment.

How to Transfer

To transfer schools:

1. Notify your Designated School Official (DSO), who will release your SEVIS record to the new school.
2. Obtain a new SEVIS I-20 from the transfer school.
3. Inform the new DSO within 15 days of starting at the new school.
4. Your transfer is only complete once the new school reports your enrollment to SEVIS.
   Failure to follow these steps may result in a loss of your status.

Withdrawing from an Institution

If you need to withdraw from your current school, request formal approval from your DSO. You will typically have 15 days to leave the U.S. after withdrawing. If you withdraw without DSO approval, you won’t receive a grace period. To return to study, you must apply for a new I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee again.

6. F1 Employment on Campus

During your first year in the U.S., you can only work on-campus. This work can involve providing services to students or engaging in research at a school-affiliated worksite. Your DSO must approve this employment in advance.

If you transfer to another school, you will need to submit a new work request to your DSO before beginning any work.

Off-campus employment is allowed after your first year, but only under certain circumstances, including:

• Unforeseen economic hardship beyond your control, allowing you to work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session, and full-time during breaks.
• If you are from a country for which the Department of Homeland Security has suspended employment restrictions (e.g., Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines).
• Special programs may be available for students from countries experiencing natural disasters or civil unrest.
• If employed by a recognized international organization.

7. F1 Students Remaining in Status During Summer and Illness

As long as you intend to return to school in the next term, you will remain in status during the summer break.

If you fall ill and need to take a reduced course load or temporarily leave school, you will remain in status until you recover and return to your studies.

8. F1 CPT and OPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT refers to any internship or practicum that is an essential component of a student’s academic program and can be undertaken either part-time or full-time. It’s important to note that part-time CPT will not impact your eligibility for OPT (Optional Practical Training), which is discussed below, but engaging in 12 months of full-time CPT will make you ineligible for OPT. To qualify for CPT, you must have completed at least one year of academic study in your program. Additionally, you must have a job offer before applying for CPT, which must be submitted through a Designated School Official (DSO).

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT provides international students with the opportunity to gain temporary employment related to their field of study. It can be utilized either before finishing the program, during periods when school is not in session, or part-time during the academic term. Note that any time spent on pre-completion OPT will reduce the available time for post-completion OPT.

To apply for OPT, you must do so within 90 days of completing your academic program or within 60 days of your program’s end date. A job offer is not required to apply for OPT.

The DSO must recommend your OPT in the SEVIS system, and you will need to submit your SEVIS I-20 form along with Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Without the EAD, you cannot legally work in the U.S.

Post-completion OPT can last for up to 12 months. This period must be completed within 14 months following your graduation.

OPT allows various types of employment including:

• Multiple employers
• Freelance or contract work
• Switching employers (note that for STEM OPT, the employer must be E-verified)
• Self-employment (except for STEM OPT)
• Agency or consulting roles
• Unpaid or volunteer work, provided you work at least 20 hours per week (except for STEM OPT)
• Part-time work (minimum 20 hours per week)
• Full-time work

If you complete your OPT, you must leave the U.S. within 60 days.

STEM OPT

STEM OPT extends post-completion OPT for students who have a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field. There is no limit to the number of STEM OPT extensions you can receive, but the job must align with your degree, and the position should appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.

Your employer must complete Form I-983 to show their ability to train you and ensure the position does not displace U.S. workers. Employers must also be E-verified. This form outlines specific training goals, skills to be gained, and evaluation procedures.

STEM OPT can be extended by 24 additional months beyond the initial 12-month OPT period.

Unemployment During OPT

For regular OPT, you cannot have more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12 months. For STEM OPT, you are allowed a maximum of 150 days of unemployment over the 36-month period. Any employment less than 20 hours per week is considered unemployment.

Traveling Under OPT

When traveling abroad during OPT, ensure your DSO endorses your SEVIS I-20 form. Your employment can continue as long as your I-20 was signed within the last six months. Carry your valid F1 visa, a job offer letter, and your EAD to facilitate re-entry.

9. Change of Status

As an F1 student, you may transition to another non-immigrant visa category. One common visa for graduates is the H-1B visa, which requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

H-1B Visa

The H-1B visa is designed for specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. This visa is widely used in fields such as:

• Architecture, engineering, and mathematics
• Physical sciences and health care
• Education, business, law, and accounting
• Arts, theology, and social sciences

H-1B and CAP-GAP

If you are selected in the H-1B lottery, your new status won’t begin until October 1. In this case, your OPT will be automatically extended until September 30, ensuring no gap between your F1 status and H-1B status.

If your OPT ends before April 1, you cannot work until your H-1B takes effect on October 1, but you can stay in the U.S. without employment.

If your H-1B petition is not adjudicated by September 30, you can stay in the U.S., but you will not be able to work.

If your H-1B petition is rejected, denied, or revoked, you have a 60-day grace period to leave the country.

Avoid traveling during the CAP-GAP period, as it could be seen as abandoning your change of status application.

You may change employers during the CAP-GAP period.

10. F1 Extension of Stay

If you’re unable to complete your program on time, you may request an extension of your stay from your DSO. Such an extension can be granted for reasons like medical conditions or changes in your academic focus, such as changing your major or research project. Extensions will not be approved for reasons such as academic probation or suspension.

If you fail to request an extension on time, you will be considered out of status and will need to apply for reinstatement.

11. Conclusion

The F1 visa offers a powerful option for international students looking to pursue academic studies in the U.S. By understanding the F1 visa’s benefits, requirements, and processes, you are now better prepared for the steps involved in your education and career path.

Should you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to email me directly at Abbas@espadaimmigration.com. I am always responsive and would be happy to guide you through the process.

RESOURCES

• STEM OPT Hub
• Students’ School Search
• Student Process Steps
• SEVIS and Form I-20
• F1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Process
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• STEM OPT and Form I-983 Guidelines
• H-1B Specialty Occupations
• Visitor Visa and E-Verify Information
• Extension of OPT and F1 Status under H-1B Cap-Gap